PADRES NOTES: Hundley impresses with arm

SAN DIEGO -- Padres catcher Nick Hundley drew praise from both
managers on Saturday for his play behind the plate on Friday.

The rookie, widely considered the Padres' top catching prospect,
threw out would-be base stealers in Ivan Ochoa and Fred Lewis to
kill a pair of potential San Francisco rallies. Since his promotion
July 4, Hundley has caught four of 11 base stealers.

Padres manager Bud Black said on one of the throws, Hundley
produced an outstanding 1.85-second time in catching and firing the
ball to second base. Two seconds is considered an average time.

"He's throwing the ball great," Black said. "The technique and
throw are there."

The 24-year-old Hundley said there has been a lot to digest
during his first month in the big leagues, from dissecting hitters
to learning his pitchers' styles and being able to separate the
defensive side of the game from his own hitting.

But Hundley praised the team for being "involved" in his
development in those aspects. One area Hundley will have to improve
upon is in the receiving department. He had several balls kick off
his glove Friday, including one mix-up between himself and pitcher
Josh Banks that led to a run-scoring passed ball. Hundley called
for a fastball while Banks thought he called for a split-finger
fastball.

"That's on me," Hundley said. "I can't let that happen,
especially not in that situation."

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Estes on mend

Shawn Estes said he threw "until (he) was tired" during a
Saturday bullpen session.

The left-hander, who is recovering from a broken left thumb,
will next throw Tuesday in a simulated game in Lake Elsinore, and
he's scheduled to make his first rehab start with the Single-A
Storm on Aug. 9.

The veteran, who will be a free agent after the season, was 1-1
with a 3.33 ERA in five outings, including four starts, before he
was injured in San Francisco on May 30. Though he impressed the
front office and coaching staff with his pitching in May, Estes
knows he needs to do more of the same when he returns.

"A lot of guys are playing for next year at this point," Estes
said. "The organization is checking guys out and seeing who fits. I
want to be part of that puzzle."

Short hops

ESPN will broadcast the Padres' Aug. 17 game against
Philadelphia, moving the start time from 1:05 p.m. to 5 p.m. … OF
Chase Headley was wearing a guard on his right leg Saturday after
he was drilled by a 97 mph fastball during a left-handed at-bat
against Tim Lincecum in the sixth inning Friday night. … Friday's
extra-innings affair was the fourth between the Padres and Giants
in nine meetings this season. It was the Padres' sixth loss in 11
extra-innings contests in 2008. … One year ago Sunday, RHP Clay
Hensley allowed Barry Bonds' 755th home run at Petco Park .